Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a Vigilance probe into allegations linked to the 2006 Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) road works, involving current Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The probe relates to corruption allegations in the KSTP project and the death of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, who was associated with the PATI-BEL consortium involved in upgrading the MC Road under the project.
At the time of the incident in 2006, Gyanesh Kumar was serving as the Secretary of Kerala’s Public Works Department (PWD).
According to sources, Chennithala ordered the inquiry after KPCC leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal submitted a complaint seeking an investigation into the matter on Saturday.
The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has been asked to conduct a preliminary investigation. Further action will be considered based on the findings of the initial probe.
The case goes back to the death of Malaysian engineer Lee See Been, who was connected with the consortium working on the KSTP road project. Following his death, a Vigilance inquiry was ordered in 2006.
However, the investigation did not progress further, according to sources. Around the same period, Gyanesh Kumar moved to the Defence Ministry on deputation.
Gyanesh Kumar, a Kerala-cadre IAS officer, later served in several departments in the state before taking up senior positions in the Central government. He is currently serving as the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
The latest development comes at a time when Congress and other opposition parties are protesting against Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out across the country.
The Vigilance probe is expected to examine the allegations surrounding the KSTP project, the circumstances related to Lee See Been’s death and why the earlier investigation did not move forward.
The preliminary inquiry by the VACB will determine whether there is sufficient ground for a detailed investigation or further legal action.
